Mowing-machine



(No Model.) J. s. HOWK MOWING MACHINE. No 590,987.

Patented Oct. 5,1897.

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WITNESSES .5

. LNVEJVTOR 32% HL J' IZ 77:04 /%K UNTTE STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN S. I-IOIVK, OF RENO, NEVADA.

MOWING-M ACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 590,987, dated October 5, 1897. 7

Application filed February 1, 1897. Serial No. 621 ,392. (No model.)

' T as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in mowing-machines, and relates particularly to the cutting apparatus thereof, the object being to provide an antif riction-bearin g between the stationary finger-bar and movable cutter-bar thereon in order to reduce friction and render more easy the action of the movable parts.

To this end my invention consists'of a finger-bar provided with a series of fingers and overlapping bearing-plates, between which the cutter-bars move, and also a series of antifriction-rollers interposed beneath the said bearingplates and between the stationary finger-bar and movable cutter-bar.

My invention also consists in certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arran gements of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top or plan view of a portion of the fingerbar, cutter-bar, and the parts thereof constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the bearingplates removed. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on a line through one of the confining-bolts of the bearing-plates. Fig. 4. is a bottom planview of one of the bearing plates on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view of the antifriction-roller, the confiningbolt, and parts on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is alongitudinal sectional view thereof, also on an enlarged scale, on line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an inverted plan view of the ring shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the letterA designates the main bar of the stationary fingerbar mechanism, provided, as usual, with a series of laterally-projecting fingers B, each having a guide-groove G, through which the cutter-bar or sickle D moves. These fingers are con fined, as usual, to the finger-bar by bolts ing-plates G thereon.

f passing therethrough, and through bear- Each of these bearingplates has a central raised portion provided at each side thereof with ears g, each having slots for passage of the bolts, and with a laterally-confining extension 9, which laps over upon the cutterbar. In order to overcome the friction between the cutter-bar and finger-bar, I have provided these bearing-plates with a socket h on the under side thereof and an opening h therethrough at the center of the socket, this socket at the side adjacent the confining projections being open. An antifriction-roller device occupies the said socket and comprises a bolt I, having at the lower end thereof a screw-head 1', formed with an uppercone-shaped bearing-surfaced. The upper end of this bolt is adapted to pass through the said central opening in the bear ing-plate and is threaded for the reception of a confining-nut An antifriction-roller J also occupies the said recess or opening in the bearing-plate and comprises a ring having an exterior bearing-surface j projecting beyond the line of the central portion of the bearingplate to a point just beyond the same and beneath the lateral confining-plate g and bears against the inner or rear edge is of a movable cone. This antifriction -roller is provided with a circumferential internal groove j, forming a raceway for ball-bearingsj The cone-shaped upper bearing-face 2' of the confining-rod bears against the under side of the bolts, and a movable cone It is fitted upon the shank of the confining-bolt and is adapted. to be forced in contact with the balls on the other side thereof. By this construction a dust-proof antifriction-bearing is provided which diminishes the friction caused by contact of the cutting members and facilitates easy operation thereof.

By screwing up thescrew-shaped head of the confining-bolt or the nut on the upper end thereof the two cones heretofore mentioned may be adjusted relatively to each other and to the said ball-bearings to increase or diminish their freedom of movement and to compensate for wear thereof. It will be understood that the finger-bar will be provided with a series of these confining-plates and antif riction-bearin gs at regular intervals. My invention provides a simple and effectroo ive antifriction-bearing for the cutting app a ratus of mowing-machines and the like which practically reduces friction between the movable parts and renders the same much more easily operated.

Having thus described the in vention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cutting apparatus, the combination with a fixed finger-bar and a movable cutterbar, of bearing-plates located on said fingerbar having lateral projections bearing upon the cutter-bar, and an antifriction device comprising a roller bearing against the rear edge of the said cutterbar and having an internal ball-raceway and a confining-boltpass ing through the said bearing-plate and having a fixed cone bearing on one side of the balls and a movable cone bearing on the opposite side thereof, substantially as described.

2. In a cutting apparatus for mowing-machines, the com bination of a fixed finger-bar, a movable cutter-bar, a series of bearingplates each having a central raised portion provided on the under side thereof with a socket and at opposite sides with ears pro vided with openings for the passage of confining-bolts, an antifriction-roller occupying said socket and provided with a ball-raceway, a bolt passing through said roller and bearing-plate and provided With a head having a cone adapted to bear against one side of the balls in the raceway, and a movable cone bearing on the opposite side thereof said bolt having screw-heads for the reception of a confining-nut, substantially as described.

3. In cutting apparatus, for mowing-machines, the combination With a fixed fingerbar and a cutter.- bar movable thereon, of

bearing-plates located on said finger-bar and provided with lateral projections extending over upon the cutter-bar, and a socket on the under side thereof, an antifriction-roller in said socket and bearing against the inner edge of the cutter-bar, said roller consisting of a hollow ring formed with an internal ballraceway, and a bolt passing through the bearing-plate and provided at its lower end With a fixed cone and a movable cone, bearing on opposite sides of the rollers, substantially as described.

4. In cutting apparatus, the combination with a fixed finger-bar and a movable cutterbar, of bearing-plates secured to the fingerbar and provided with lateral projections extending over upon the cutter-bar and a socket on the under side thereof, a roller located in said socket and adapted to bear against the rear edge of the cutter-bar, said roller consisting of a ring formed with an internal circumferential chamber for the reception of antifriction-balls, a bolt formed at its lower end with a screw-head having its inner side formed into a fixed cone and adapted to pro ject over the opening in the under side of the roller and bear against the antifrictionrollers, and having its shank extending up through the bearing-plate and confined by a nut, and a movable cone surrounding the said bolt and operating in the opening in the top of the roller, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

' JOHN S. IIOIVK.

Witnesses:

A. C. HELMOLD, ROBT. JoNns. 

